Accused man found dead in jail cell

CHRISTIANSBURG — A Christiansburg man arrested Saturday evening in connection with the death of a woman and her teenage daughter was found hanging in his jail cell a day later.
According to Montgomery County Sheriff’s Capt. Robert Hall, 34-year-old Jeffrey Lee Mills was found hanging from a light fixture in his jail cell. The suspect was pronounced dead at an area hospital late Sunday night.
Mills was arrested Saturday in connection with the deaths of 35-year-old Shelley Ann Wood and her 16-year-old daughter Ashley Sweeney. They were found dead in their home at 121 Haymaker Street in Christiansburg after a caller telephoned Roanoke police to have someone check their well being.
Mills was charged with two counts of first degree murder, according to a press release from Christiansburg Police Department.
Maj. Reid Dalton of the Christsiansburg Police Department indicated there is a “domestic relationship” between Mills and the victims, but he would not release further details.
Hall said an inmate alerted officials at Montgomery County Jail that Mills had tied a bedsheet around his neck and hung himself just seven minutes after guards had conducted a cell check.
Hall said there was no indication Mills was despondent before he was jailed Saturday.

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Accused man found dead in jail cell

CHRISTIANSBURG — A Christiansburg man arrested Saturday evening in connection with the death of a woman and her teenage daughter was found hanging in his jail cell a day later.
According to Montgomery County Sheriff’s Capt. Robert Hall, 34-year-old Jeffrey Lee Mills was found hanging from a light fixture in his jail cell. The suspect was pronounced dead at an area hospital late Sunday night.
Mills was arrested Saturday in connection with the deaths of 35-year-old Shelley Ann Wood and her 16-year-old daughter Ashley Sweeney. They were found dead in their home at 121 Haymaker Street in Christiansburg after a caller telephoned Roanoke police to have someone check their well being.
Mills was charged with two counts of first degree murder, according to a press release from Christiansburg Police Department.
Maj. Reid Dalton of the Christsiansburg Police Department indicated there is a “domestic relationship” between Mills and the victims, but he would not release further details.
Hall said an inmate alerted officials at Montgomery County Jail that Mills had tied a bedsheet around his neck and hung himself just seven minutes after guards had conducted a cell check.
Hall said there was no indication Mills was despondent before he was jailed Saturday.